My name is Billy John. I am seventeen years old. I live in Virginia with my Father, Jeremiah John. I do not have a mother or any siblings. Being an only child and only having my father is pretty boring for me. My father said my mother died when I was four, but I do not remember any of that.

My father was very sick, and I didn't know what I could do. "Billy, I have never told you this, but your life isn't that hard, because.." he said gasping for air " You have a mother that loves you very much." I was shocked. "She was taken away from us when you were four years old, and now she lives in the Union." After hearing this, I was really surprised, I needed to find her.

"Billy, before I pass away, I want you to have this" he said. My father handed me a picture of him, my mother, my cousin, my older sister, and me from thirteen years ago. I was three when the photo was taken.

"Use this picture to find your mother and your older sister....I love you very much, now please go." He said letting out his last breath of air. I'm was glad to know he was now with the angels not having to suffer any longer, but I wish he could have come with me.

Not expecting anyone I heard a knock at the door I went to answer the door there was a man he handed me a envelope. I opened the letter, it read-

"Dear Billy John, I am happy to inform you that you have come of age to fight in the war for the Confederates, there will be a meeting with general Lee in two days. It is Mandatory. "-sincerely governor John Letcher.

"Thank you, sir"

"Your welcome."

The nice man went and drove away, I don't even have a choice anymore I have to fight for the right thing.

Should I run away to find my mother, and sister or stay and fight against the Union. I do not know what I should do what is more important. I am so scared, mad, and confused.

I feel like I am on the end of a fork in the road, and there are only two signs. One saying war and the other family. The war is sort of like family because I am helping many, but if I go to my family that will only help me.

War

Family

War

Family

If I try to run away I may get arrested for trying to get out of fighting in the war.

I might still be able to find my mother, sister and cousin, it's better than maybe being arrested. I will stay and fight in the battle in hope of finding my family on the way.

Two days later, I went up to general Lee where I signed up to be a Confederate soldier I received a uniform and some essentials such as a gun, the food was horide and almost unbearable.

We practiced shooting and reloading our guns over and over, day after day, until we fell over. Then there came the day, we got in a train to travel to Manassas Virginia. That's where the first major battle would happen... The First Battle of Bull Run.

On the day of the battle, men were shooting and men were falling, dying for there country. I was shot just like the others.

Which ended with the Union retreating and a Confederate victory. The First Battle of Bull Run was marked down in history as one of the most bloody and important battles of the Civil war.